ES2847775T3 - Contained liquid system for filling aerosol delivery devices - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol delivery device (100; 200) comprising: a housing (216; 402; 502) defining a refillable reservoir (218; 404; 504) for storing an aerosol precursor composition; a heating element (222; 406; 506) contained within the housing (216; 402; 502) and configured to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition in response to a flow of air through at least a portion of the housing (216; 402; 502), the air being able to combine with a vapor thus formed to form an aerosol; and an adapter (410; 510) coupled to the housing (216; 402; 502) and removably and hermetically connectable to a container (300; 700; 1100) to fill the reservoir (218; 404; 504) with the precursor composition of aerosol, the adapter (410; 510) being configured to connect to a valve (708) of the container (300; 700; 1100) during the filling of the reservoir (218; 404; 504), including the adapter (410; 510) a body (512) defining separate and distinct airflow and fill ports (514, 516), the fill port being for the transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the container (300; 700; 1100) to the reservoir (218; 404; 504) during the connection of the adapter (410; 510) and valve (708) in which the air flow port (516) is closed by the valve (708) to prevent the aerosol precursor composition pass through air flow port (516), air flow port (516) being for air flow through at least the part of the housing (216; 402; 502) when adapter (410; 510) and valve (708) are disconnected, where air flow port (516) is on aerosol delivery device (100; 200) and valve (708) is on the container (300; 700; 1100).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Contained liquid system for filling aerosol delivery devices

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to aerosol delivery devices such as smoking articles that can utilize electrically generated heat for aerosol production (eg, smoking articles commonly referred to as electronic cigarettes), and more particularly to a system and method. to safely fill aerosol delivery devices with an aerosol precursor composition. The smoking articles can be configured to heat the aerosol precursor, which can incorporate materials that can be made or derived from tobacco or otherwise incorporate tobacco, the precursor being capable of forming an inhalable substance for human consumption.

BACKGROUND

US 2012/167906 A1 describes an electronic cigarette including an atomizer, a cartridge, a mouthpiece, an ignition switch, and an electronic cigarette refilling apparatus for use therein.

WO 2009/001082 A1 describes a simulated cigarette device comprising an elongated housing having an inhalation outlet at one end and a refill inlet. A reservoir extends along a substantial portion of the housing and has a fill valve adjacent to the fill inlet and an outlet valve adjacent to the inhalation outlet, which can be operated to allow gas in the reservoir to pass from the reservoir and exit the inhalation outlet. An air flow passage into the housing downstream of the reservoir leads to the inhalation outlet. A valve opening mechanism having a rotary valve is associated with the air flow passage and is arranged to open the outlet valve when air is drawn through the air flow passage.

Many smoking devices have been proposed over the years as improvements or alternatives to smoking products that require burning tobacco for use. Many of those devices are purportedly designed to provide the sensations associated with smoking cigarettes, cigars, or cigars or pipes, but without delivering significant amounts of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products that result from tobacco burning. To this end, numerous smoking products, flavor generators and medicinal inhalers have been proposed that use electrical energy to vaporize or heat a volatile material, or attempt to provide the sensations of smoking cigarettes, cigars, or cigars or pipes without burning tobacco to a degree significant. See, p. For example, the various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heat generating sources discussed in the prior art disclosed in US Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Patent Publication Application US No. 2013/0255702 to Griffith Jr. et al. and US Patent Publication Application No. 2014/0096781 to Sears et al. See also, for example, the various types of smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and electrically powered heat generating sources referred to by brand name and commercial source in US Patent Application No. Serial No. 14 / 170,838 to Bless et al., Filed February 3, 2014. In addition, other types of smoking articles have been proposed in US Patent No. 5,505,214 to Collins et al., US Patent No. 5,894,841 to Voges, US Patent No. 6,772,756 to Shayan, US Patent Publication Application No. 2006/0196518 to Hon, Patent Publication Application US Patent No. 2007/0267031 to Hon and US Patent Publication Application No. 14/716204 to Minskoff et al.

Ongoing developments in the field of aerosol delivery devices have resulted in the provision of refillable reservoirs for use that contain an aerosol precursor composition in an aerosol delivery device, the refillable reservoir being configured such that the aerosol delivery devices are reusable. However, filling such reservoirs can often lead to dangerous user exposure to the aerosol precursor composition. Thus, there is a need for a system and method for safely filling aerosol delivery devices with an aerosol precursor composition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. The present invention also includes the following example implementations which, unless within the scope of the claims, merely describe related technology and are not part of the invention.

Example implementation: An aerosol delivery device that includes a housing coupled to an adapter and a heating element contained within the housing. The housing defines a refillable reservoir for storing an aerosol precursor composition. The heating element is configured to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition in response to a flow of air through at least a portion of the housing, the air can combine with a vapor thus formed to form an aerosol. The adapter is removably and hermetically connectable to a container to fill the reservoir with the aerosol precursor composition. The adapter is configured to connect to a container valve during refilling the tank. The adapter includes a body that defines separate and distinct fill and airflow ports. The refill port is for transferring the aerosol precursor composition from the container to the reservoir during connection of the adapter and the valve where the air flow port is closed by the valve to prevent the aerosol precursor composition from passing through the airflow port. The airflow port is for airflow through at least part of the housing when the adapter and valve are disconnected.

The valve includes a pressable valve body that includes a first valve member and a second valve member, the first valve member being for opening a passageway for the aerosol precursor composition within the container, and the second member being valve to close the air flow port, when the valve body is depressed, where the air flow port is on the aerosol delivery device and the valve is on the container.

Additional Example Implementation: The aerosol delivery device of any previous or later example implementation, or any combination thereof, wherein the airflow port defines an interior cavity dimensioned to receive at least one matching portion therein of the second valve member.

Additional example implementation: The aerosol delivery device of any previous or later example implementation, or any combination thereof, where the body includes an adapter protrusion that defines the airflow port, and the container includes a outlet port into which the valve is movably positioned, the outlet port includes a cavity sized to receive therein the at least part of the valve when the adapter and valve are disconnected, and the protrusion of the adapter when adapter and valve are connected.

Additional Example Implementation: The aerosol delivery device of any previous or subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, wherein the outlet includes a conduit for transferring the aerosol precursor composition from the container to the reservoir, and the fill port is sized to receive the conduit when the adapter and valve are connected.

Additional example implementation: The aerosol delivery device of any previous or later example implementation, or any combination thereof, wherein the adapter additionally includes a check valve coupled to the refill port and configured to allow transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from container to reservoir.

Additional Example Implementation: The aerosol delivery device of any previous or subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises a nozzle removably coupled to the housing over the adapter so expose the adapter when removing the nozzle.

Additional example implementation: The aerosol delivery device of any previous or later example implementation, or any combination thereof, wherein the mouthpiece is a pull-resistant mouthpiece that includes two tabs whose simultaneous pressure allows the resistant mouthpiece upon extraction, rotate and therefore free from the housing.

Additional example implementation: The aerosol delivery device of any previous or later example implementation, or any combination thereof, where the adapter additionally includes a slot that can be paired with a corresponding tab on the container to align the adapter with the container for connection to it.

Additional Example Implementation: An aerosol precursor composition container for filling aerosol delivery devices that includes a housing defining a reservoir for storing an aerosol precursor composition and an adapter attached to the housing. The adapter is removably and hermetically connectable with an aerosol delivery device to allow the aerosol delivery device to be filled with the aerosol precursor composition. The adapter includes a valve configured to connect to the aerosol delivery device during filling of the aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device defines separate and distinct airflow and fill ports, the fill port being for transferring the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir to the aerosol delivery device during connection of the valve and delivery device. where the air flow port is closed by the valve to prevent the aerosol precursor composition from passing through the air flow port, and the air flow port being for an air flow through the al minus the part of the aerosol delivery device when the valve and the aerosol delivery device are disconnected, where the air flow port is on the aerosol delivery device and the valve is on the container.

The valve includes a pressable valve body that includes a first valve member and a second valve member, the first valve member being for opening a passageway for the aerosol precursor composition. within the reservoir, and the second valve member being to close the air flow port, when the valve body is depressed.

Additional example implementation: In some example implementations of the container of any previous or later example implementation, or any combination thereof, where the airflow port defines an interior cavity, and the second valve member includes a part corresponding, the inner cavity being dimensioned to receive therein at least the corresponding part of the second valve member.

Additional sample implementation: In some sample implementations of the container of any previous or later sample implementation, or any combination thereof, where the aerosol delivery device includes an adapter protrusion that defines the airflow port, and the container includes an outlet port into which the valve is movably positioned, the outlet port including a cavity sized to receive therein the at least part of the valve when the adapter and the aerosol delivery device are disconnected, and the protrusion of the adapter when the adapter and aerosol delivery device are connected.

Additional sample implementation: In some sample implementations of the container of any previous or later sample implementation, or any combination thereof, where the outlet includes a conduit for transferring the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir to the delivery device aerosol, and the fill port is sized to receive the conduit when the adapter and valve are connected.

Additional sample implementation: In some sample implementations of the container of any previous or later sample implementation, or any combination thereof, where the outlet defines one or more liquid ports configured to allow transfer of precursor composition from aerosol from reservoir to aerosol delivery device.

Additional Example Implementation: In some example implementations of the container of any earlier or later example implementation, or any combination thereof, further comprising a cover removably coupled to the housing over the adapter so that the adapter is exposed to the remove the cap.

Additional example implementation: In some example implementations of the container of any previous or later example implementation, or any combination thereof, where the lid is a pull-resistant lid that includes two tabs whose simultaneous pressure allows the lid to resistant to extraction rotate and therefore its extraction from the housing.

Additional sample implementation: In some sample implementations of the container of any previous or later sample implementation, or any combination thereof, where the adapter additionally includes a tab that can be paired with a corresponding slot on the aerosol delivery device to align the adapter with the aerosol delivery device for connection to the aerosol delivery device.

Additional example implementation: A method of implementing a contained liquid system for use with a refillable aerosol delivery device. The method includes the removable and hermetic connection of an adapter of an aerosol delivery device with a corresponding adapter of a container for filling the aerosol delivery device with an aerosol precursor composition, the adapter being connected to a valve of the corresponding adapter, the adapter including a body defining separate and distinct fill airflow ports, the fill port being for transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the container to the aerosol delivery device during connection of the adapter and valve at where the airflow port is closed by the valve to prevent the aerosol precursor composition from passing through the airflow port, the airflow port being for airflow through at least part from the aerosol delivery device when the adapter and valve are disconnected. The method also includes transferring the aerosol precursor composition from the container to the aerosol delivery device.

Additional example implementation: In some example implementations of the method of the above or after example implementation, or any combination thereof, where the valve includes a valve body that is depressed when the adapter is connected to the corresponding adapter, including the valve body a first valve member and a second valve member, the first valve member opening a passageway to the aerosol precursor composition within the container, and the second valve member closing the air flow port, when presses the valve body.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present invention includes any combination of two, three, four or more features or elements set forth. in this description, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined or otherwise mentioned in a specific example implementation described herein. This description is intended to be read in its entirety, so that any separable features or elements of the invention, in any of its aspects and exemplary implementations, should be seen as intended, that is, to be combinable, unless the context of the invention clearly indicates otherwise.

Therefore, it will be appreciated that this brief summary is provided simply for the purpose of summarizing some example implementations to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the example implementations described above are merely examples and should not be construed to limit the scope or spirit of the invention in any way. Other exemplary implementations, aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of some described example implementations. However, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and not by the description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Having thus carried out the invention in the general terms above, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and where:

Figure 1 illustrates an aerosol delivery device including a reservoir coupled to a control body in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a partially sectional view of an aerosol delivery device which, according to various example implementations, may correspond to the aerosol delivery device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 illustrates an aerosol precursor composition container including a reservoir in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure;

Figures 4A and 4B illustrate an aerosol delivery device including a pull-resistant nozzle in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention;

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate an adapter for receiving an aerosol precursor composition within an aerosol delivery device in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention; Figure 6 is a partially sectional view of an adapter for receiving an aerosol precursor composition within an aerosol delivery device which, according to various example implementations, may correspond to the adapter of Figures 4A and 4B;

Figures 7A and 7B illustrate an adapter for transferring an aerosol precursor composition from within a container in accordance with an example implementation of the present invention;

Figures 8A and 8B are a partially sectional view of an adapter for transferring an aerosol precursor composition from within a container which, according to various example implementations, may correspond to the adapter of Figures 7A and 7B;

Figures 9 and 10 are a bottom perspective view of an adapter for transferring an aerosol precursor composition from within a container which, according to various example implementations, may correspond to the adapter of Figures 7A and 7B;

Figure 11 is an exploded view of a container for filling aerosol delivery devices that includes an adapter for transferring an aerosol precursor composition from within a container which, according to various example implementations, may correspond to the container of Figure 3 and to the adapter of Figures 7A and 7B;

Figure 12 illustrates a contained liquid system for filling aerosol delivery devices in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention;

Figures 13A and 13B are a partially cutaway view of a contained liquid system for filling aerosol delivery devices which, according to various example implementations, may correspond to the contained liquid system of Figure 12; and

Figure 14 illustrates various steps of a method for implementing a contained liquid system for use with a refillable aerosol delivery device, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention.

Detailed description

The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and not by the description. The present invention will now be more fully realized hereinafter with reference to exemplary implementations thereof. These example implementations are described so that this invention will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In fact, the invention can be carried out in many different ways and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein; rather, these implementations are provided for this invention to satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", "an", "the", "the", "it" and the like include plural referents unless the context indicates clearly the opposite.

As described hereinafter, example implementations of the present invention refer to aerosol delivery systems. Delivery systems according to the present invention use electrical energy to heat a material (preferably without burning the material to any significant degree and / or without significant chemical alteration of the material) to form an inhalable substance; and the components of such systems are in the form of articles that, more preferably, are compact enough to be considered portable devices. That is, the use of components of preferred aerosol delivery systems does not result in the production of smoke in the sense that the aerosol results primarily from by-products of tobacco combustion or pyrolysis, but rather, the use of those systems. Preferred results in the production of vapors resulting from the volatilization or vaporization of certain components incorporated therein. In some example implementations, the components of aerosol delivery systems can be characterized as electronic cigarettes, and those electronic cigarettes more preferably incorporate tobacco and / or tobacco-derived components and thus deliver tobacco-derived components in aerosol form. .

The aerosol-generating parts of certain preferred aerosol delivery systems can provide many of the sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalation rituals, types of tastes or flavors, organoleptic effects, physical sensation, rituals of use, visual cues such such as those provided by visible aerosol and the like) from smoking a cigarette, cigar or cigar or pipe that is used when lighting and burning tobacco (and therefore inhaling tobacco smoke), without any substantial degree of combustion of any of the components of the same. For example, the user of an aerosol generating piece of the present invention can hold and use that piece in much the same way as a smoker uses a traditional type of smoking article, sniffing at one end of that piece to inhale the aerosol produced. for that piece, taking or sucking puffs at selected time intervals, and the like.

The aerosol delivery systems of the present invention can also be characterized as vapor producing articles or drug delivery articles. Thus, such articles or devices can be adapted to provide one or more substances (eg, flavors and / or active pharmaceutical ingredients) in an inhalable form or state. For example, inhalable substances can be substantially in the form of a vapor (that is, a substance that is in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical point). Alternatively, the inhalants may be in the form of an aerosol (ie, a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). For the sake of simplicity, the term "aerosol", as used herein, includes vapors, gases, and aerosols of a form or type suitable for human inhalation, whether or not they are visible, and whether or not they are in a form that could be regarded as smoke.

The aerosol delivery devices of the present invention generally include a number of components provided within an outer body or shell, which may be referred to as the housing. The overall design of the outer body or shell can vary, and the shape or configuration of the outer body that can define the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device can vary. For some aerosol delivery devices, an elongated body that resembles the shape of a cigarette, cigar, or cigar can be formed from a single, unitary housing, or the elongated housing can be formed from two or more separable bodies. For example, an aerosol delivery device may comprise an elongated casing or body that may be substantially tubular in shape and, as such, resemble the shape of a conventional cigarette, cigar, or cigar. In one implementation, all components of the aerosol delivery device are contained within a single housing. Alternatively, an aerosol delivery device may comprise two or more housings that are attached and detachable. For example, an aerosol delivery device may have at one end a control body comprising a housing containing one or more reusable components (eg, a rechargeable battery and various electronic components to control the operation of that article). , and at the other end and removably attached thereto an outer body or envelope containing a part that includes one or more aerosol precursor components, such as flavors and aerosol formers. In various implementations, this part can be a disposable part (eg, a disposable cartridge) or a refillable part (eg, a refillable reservoir).

The aerosol delivery devices of the present invention may be formed of an outer housing or shell that is not substantially tubular in shape but may have substantially larger dimensions. The housing or enclosure can be configured to include a mouthpiece and / or can be configured to receive a separate enclosure (eg, a cartridge, a reservoir) that can include consumable items, such as a liquid aerosol former, and can include a vaporizer. .

The aerosol delivery systems of the present invention more preferably comprise some combination of a power source (ie, an electrical power source), at least one control component (eg, means for activating, controlling, regulating and stopping power for heat generation, such as controlling the flow of electrical current from the power source to other components of the article, e.g., a microprocessor, individually or as part of a microcontroller), a heater, or a member heat generating element (eg, an electrical resistance heating element or other component, which alone or in combination with one or more additional elements may be commonly referred to as an "atomizer"), an aerosol precursor composition (eg, commonly a liquid that can produce an aerosol upon application of sufficient heat, such as ingredients commonly referred to as "smoke juice"("e-liquid" and "e-juice"), and a re terminal region of the mouth or tip to allow aspiration of the aerosol delivery device for inhalation of aerosol (eg, a defined air flow path through the article so that the generated aerosol can be withdrawn therefrom upon aspiration).

More specific formats, configurations, and arrangements of components within the aerosol delivery systems of the present invention will be apparent in light of the additional description provided hereinafter. In addition, the selection and arrangement of various components of the aerosol delivery system can be appreciated by considering commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices, such as those representative products referenced in the prior art section herein. invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an aerosol delivery device 100 including a control body 102 and a reservoir 104, in accordance with various example implementations of the present invention. In particular, Figure 1 illustrates the control body and reservoir coupled to each other. The control body and reservoir may be permanently or removably aligned in a working relationship. Various mechanisms can connect the reservoir to the control body to result in a screw connection, a snap-fit connection, an interference fit, a magnetic connection, or the like. In some examples, the aerosol delivery device may be substantially rod-shaped, substantially tubular in shape, or substantially cylindrical in some example implementations when the reservoir and control body are in an assembled configuration. In other examples, other shapes and dimensions are covered, e.g. eg, a rectangular or triangular cross section, multi-faceted shapes or the like. The reservoir and control body may include a unitary housing or a separate respective outer body or housings or outer bodies, which may be formed of any of a number of different materials. The housing can be formed from any combination of suitable structurally sound materials. In some examples, the housing may be formed of at least one of a metal or alloy, such as stainless steel, aluminum, or the like. Other suitable materials include various plastics (eg, polycarbonate), metallized on plastic, glass, and the like.

In some example implementations, one or both of the control body 102 or the reservoir 104 of the aerosol delivery device 100 may be referred to as disposable or reusable. For example, the control body can have a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery and can therefore be combined with any type of recharging technology, including connection to a normal AC outlet, connection to a car charger (i.e., a cigarette lighter receptacle) and connection to a computer, such as through a universal serial bus (USB) cable or connector. For example, an adapter that includes a USB connector at one end and a control body connector at an opposite end has been described in US Patent Publication No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al. Furthermore, in some example implementations, the control body may be coupled to a reservoir that comprises a refillable reservoir therein. The reservoir can be configured to retain the aerosol precursor composition. In some example implementations, the particular reservoir may be formed of a porous material (eg, a fibrous material) and thus may be referred to as a porous substrate (eg, a fibrous substrate).

A fibrous substrate useful as a reservoir in an aerosol delivery device can be a woven or non-woven material made up of a plurality of fibers or filaments and can be made up of one or both of natural fibers and synthetic fibers. For example, a fibrous substrate can comprise a glass fiber material. In particular examples, a cellulose acetate material can be used. In other example implementations, a carbon material can be used. A reservoir can be substantially in the form of a container and can include fibrous material included therein. In other implementations, the reservoir can be formed of glass, plastic, or other materials that are not explicitly set forth herein.

In an exemplary implementation, the control body 102 and reservoir 104 that form the aerosol delivery device 100 may be permanently and / or removably coupled to each other. Examples of aerosol delivery devices that can be configured to be disposable and / or that can include first and second outer bodies that are configured for permanent attachment have been described in US Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 170,838 to Bless et al., Filed February 3, 2014. In another example implementation, the reservoir and control body may be non-removable, one-piece, and may incorporate the components, features, and features described. In the present memory. However, in another example implementation, the control body and reservoir can be configured to be separable so that, for example, the reservoir can be refilled or replaced.

Figure 2 illustrates a more particular example of a suitable aerosol delivery device 200 which in some examples may correspond to the aerosol delivery device 100 of Figure 1. As seen in the sectional view illustrated therein, the device The aerosol delivery system may comprise a control body 202 and a reservoir 204, which may correspond respectively to the control body 102 and the reservoir 104 of Figure 1. As illustrated in Figure 2, the control body 202 may be formed by a control body enclosure 206 which may include a control component 208 (eg, a printed circuit board (PCB), an integrated circuit, a memory component, a microprocessor, individually or as part of a microcontroller , and the like), a flow sensor 210, a battery 212, and one or more light-emitting diodes (LED) 214, and such components can be variably aligned. Additional indicators (eg, a haptic feedback component, an audio feedback component, or the like) may be included in addition to or as an alternative to the LED. Additional representative types of components that produce visual signals or indicators, such as light-emitting diode (LED) components, and the configurations and uses thereof, are described in US Patent No. 5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al. to the.; 8,499,766 to Newton and 8,539,959 to Scatterday; and US Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 173,266, filed February 5, 2014, to Sears et al.

The reservoir 204 may be formed of a reservoir shell 216 containing a reservoir 218 that is in fluid communication with a liquid transport member 220 adapted to evacuate or otherwise convey an aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir housing. to a heater 222 (sometimes referred to as a heater element). In some examples, a valve may be placed between the reservoir and the heater, and configured to control an amount of aerosol precursor composition that is passed or delivered from the reservoir to the heater.

Various examples of materials configured to produce heat when electrical current is applied through them can be employed to form heater 222. The heater in these examples can be a resistive heating element such as a coil. Exemplary materials from which the coil can be formed include Kanthal (FeCrAl), Nichrome (Nichrome), molybdenum disilicide (MoSi ² ), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), aluminum doped molybdenum disilicide (Mo (Si, Al) ² ), graphite and graphite-based materials (eg carbon-based foams and fibers) and ceramic materials (eg, ceramic materials with positive or negative temperature coefficient). Exemplary implementations of heaters or heater elements useful in aerosol delivery devices in accordance with the present invention are further described below, and may be incorporated into devices such as those illustrated in Figure 2 as described herein.

A nozzle 224 having a defined opening therein may be coupled to the reservoir shell 216 (eg, at the mouthpiece) to allow the formed aerosol to exit from reservoir 204. Such components are representative of components that they may be present in a reservoir and are not intended to limit the scope of the components of the reservoir that are encompassed by the present invention.

The reservoir 204 may also include one or more electronic components 226, which may include an integrated circuit, a memory component, a sensor, or the like. The electronic components can be adapted to communicate with the control component 208 and / or with an external device by wired or wireless means. The electronic components can be placed anywhere within the tank or on a base 228 of the tank.

The control component 208 includes a number of electronic components and, in some examples, may be formed by an electronic or printed circuit board (PCB) that supports and electrically connects the electronic components. Electronic components can include a microprocessor or processor core and memory. In some examples, the control component may include a microcontroller with an integrated processor core and memory, and which may additionally include one or more integrated input / output peripherals. In some examples, the control component may be coupled to a communication interface to allow wireless communication with one or more appropriately enabled networks, computing devices, or other devices. Examples of suitable communication interfaces are described in US Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 638,562, filed March 4, 2015, to Marion et al. And examples of suitable ways that the aerosol delivery device can be configured to communicate wirelessly are described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 327,776, filed July 10, 2014, Ampolini et al and US Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 609,032, filed January 29, 2015, to Henry, Jr. et al.

Although the control component 208 and the flow sensor 210 are illustrated separately, it is understood that the control component and the flow sensor can be combined, such as on a PCB to which the air flow sensor can be directly attached. . Furthermore, the PCB can be positioned horizontally with respect to the illustration in Figure 2 because the PCB can be longitudinally parallel to the central axis of the control body. In some examples, the air flow sensor may comprise its own circuit board or other base element to which it can be attached. In some examples, a flexible circuit board can be used. A flexible circuit board can be configured in a variety of shapes, including substantially tubular shapes. In some examples, a flexible circuit board can be combined with, overlaid, or form part or all of a heater substrate as described in more detail below.

Control body 202 and reservoir 204 may include components adapted to facilitate fluid connection between them. As illustrated in Figure 2, the control body may include a coupler 230 having a cavity 232 therein. The reservoir base 228 can be adapted to connect to the coupler and can include a boss 234 adapted to fit within the cavity. Such a connection can facilitate a stable connection between the control body and the tank, as well as establish an electrical connection between the battery 212 and the control component 208 in the control body and the heater 222 in the tank. In addition, the control body enclosure 206 may include an air inlet 236, which may be a notch in the enclosure where it connects to the coupler that allows ambient air to pass around the coupler and into the enclosure where a It then passes through the cavity 232 of the coupler and into the reservoir through the projection 234.

A coupler and base useful in accordance with the present invention are described in US Patent Publication Application No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, the coupler 230 as seen in Figure 2 may define an outer periphery 238 configured to mate with an inner periphery 240 of the base 228. In one example, the inner periphery of the base may define a radius that is substantially the same. or slightly greater than, a radius of the outer periphery of the coupler. In addition, the coupler may define one or more protrusions 242 on the outer periphery configured to engage one or more grooves 244 defined on the inner periphery of the base. However, various other examples of structures, shapes and components can be used to couple the base to the coupler. In some examples the connection between the reservoir base 204 and the control body coupler 202 may be substantially permanent, while in other examples the connection between them may be releasable so that, for example, the control body can be reused with one or more additional reservoirs that can be disposable and / or refillable.

The reservoir 218 illustrated in Figure 2 may be a container or it may be a reservoir, as currently described. For example, the reservoir may be formed substantially in the shape of a tube surrounding the interior of the reservoir shell 216, in this example. An aerosol precursor composition can be retained in the reservoir. Liquid components, for example, can be retained by the reservoir. The reservoir may be in fluid connection with the liquid transport member 220. The liquid transport element can transport the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir by capillary action to the heater 222 which is in the form of a coil of metal wire in this example. As such, the heater is in a heating arrangement with the liquid transport element. Next, exemplary implementations of reservoirs and transport elements useful in aerosol delivery devices in accordance with the present invention are further described, and such reservoirs and / or transport elements may be incorporated into devices such as those illustrated in Figure 2 as shown. described herein. In particular, specific combinations of heater members and transport elements as further described below can be incorporated into devices such as illustrated in Figure 2 as described herein.

In use, when a user aspirates into aerosol delivery device 200, air flow is sensed by flow sensor 210, and heater 222 is activated to vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition. Drawing on the nozzle 224 of the aerosol delivery device causes ambient air to enter the air inlet 236 and pass through the cavity 232 in the coupler 230 and the central opening in the boss 234 of the base 228. In the reservoir 204 , the aspirated air combines with the vapor formed to form an aerosol. The aerosol is shaken, aspirated, or otherwise withdrawn from the heater and expelled through the nozzle opening of the aerosol delivery device.

An inlet element 246 may be included with the aerosol delivery device 200. The input element may be included to allow a user to control device functions and / or to send information to a user. For example, a user can use the input element to vaporize an aerosol precursor composition and / or activate an on / off function. Any component or combination of components can be used as an input to control the function of the device. For example, one or more push buttons can be used as described in US Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 193,961, filed February 28, 2014, to Worm et al. Also, a touch screen can be used as described in US Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 643,626, filed March 10, 2015, to Sears et al. As a further example, components adapted for gesture recognition based on specific movements of the aerosol delivery device can be used as input. See US Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 565,137, filed December 9, 2014, by Henry et al.

In some example implementations, a computing device such as a mobile computer (eg, smartphone, tablet) can be used as an input element in addition to or instead of an input element 246 on the delivery device itself. aerosol. In particular, the aerosol delivery device 200 may be wired to the computer or other device, such as through the use of a USB cable or a similar protocol. The aerosol delivery device can also communicate with a computer or other input device via wireless communication. See, for example, systems and methods for controlling a device by a read application as described in US Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 327,776, filed July 10, 2014, by Ampolini et to the. In such implementations, the application software can be used in connection with the computing device to input control instructions to the aerosol delivery device, such control instructions including, for example, the ability to form an aerosol of specific composition by choosing the content of nicotine and / or additional flavor content to be included.

In some examples, the aerosol delivery device 200 may include a number of additional functions implemented by hardware or controlled by software. For example, the aerosol delivery device may include a battery protection circuit configured to detect battery input, charges on the battery terminals and charging input. The battery protection circuit may include short circuit protection and low voltage lockout. The aerosol delivery device may also include components for measuring ambient temperature and its control component 208 may be configured to control at least one functional element to inhibit battery charging if the ambient temperature is below a certain temperature. (eg 0 ° C) or above a certain temperature (eg 45 ° C) before charging starts or during charging.

The delivery of energy from battery 212 may vary over the course of each puff on device 200 in accordance with a power control mechanism. The device may include a "long puff" safety timer, so that in the event that a user or an inadvertent mechanism causes the device to attempt a continuous puff, the control component 208 may control at least one puff. Functional element to finish the puff automatically after a period of time (eg four seconds). Also, the time between puffs on the device can be restricted to less than one period of time (eg, 100). A watchdog safety timer can automatically reset the aerosol delivery device if its control component or the software running on it becomes unstable and does not repair the timer within an appropriate time interval (e.g. eight seconds). Additional safety protection can be provided in the event of a faulty or otherwise failed flow sensor 210, such as by permanently disabling the aerosol delivery device to prevent inadvertent heating. A stall limit switch can deactivate the device in the event that a pressure sensor fails and causes the device to activate continuously without stopping after the maximum puff time of four seconds.

The aerosol delivery device 200 may include a puff tracking algorithm configured to lock out the heater once a defined number of puffs has been achieved for a bonded reservoir (based on the number of puffs available calculated in light of the electronic liquid charge in the reservoir). In some implementations, the puff tracking algorithm indirectly counts the number of puffs based on a corresponding number of puff seconds. As such, the puff-tracking algorithm can incrementally count a number of puff seconds to calculate when a specific amount of puff has occurred, and then turn off the device once puff seconds reach what is estimated. which is a predetermined number of puffs. For example, if three (3) seconds is defined as equivalent to an "average" puff and the device is configured to turn off after two hundred (200) average puffs, the device may turn off after six hundred (600) seconds of puffs. have elapsed with respect to the use of the deposit. The puff tracking algorithm can further estimate the amount of e-liquid that is used per puff seconds, and mathematically calculate the e-liquid volume based at least in part on the corresponding puff-seconds estimate.

The aerosol delivery device 200 may include a sleep, standby, or low power mode function whereby power delivery can be automatically cut off after a defined period of inactivity. Additional safety protection can be provided because all charge / discharge cycles of the battery 212 can be monitored by the control component 208 during its useful life. Once the battery has reached the equivalent of a predetermined number (eg 200) of full discharge and full recharge cycles, it can be declared depleted, and the control component can control at least one functional element to prevent a charge additional battery.

The various components of an aerosol delivery device according to the present invention can be chosen from components described in the art and commercially available. Examples of batteries that can be used according to the invention are described in US Patent Publication 2010/0028766 to Peckerar et al.

Aerosol delivery device 200 may incorporate sensor 210 or other sensor or detector to control the supply of electrical power to heater 222 when aerosol generation is desired (eg, by aspirating during use). As such, for example, there is provided a way or method of deactivating the power supply to the heater when the aerosol delivery device is not aspirated during use, and of activating the power supply to activate or cause the generation of heat by heater during vacuuming. Representative additional types of sensing or sensing mechanisms, structure and configuration thereof, components thereof, and general methods of operation thereof are described in US Patent No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr., Patent US Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., and Flick's PCT Patent Publication Application No. WO 2010/003480.

The aerosol delivery device 200 more preferably incorporates the control component 208 or other control mechanism to control the amount of electrical power to the heater 222 during aspiration. Representative types of electronic components, their structure and configuration, their characteristics, and general methods of their operation are described in US Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., US Patent No. 4,947,874 to Brooks et al., US Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., US Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., US Patent No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al., US Patent No. 8,205,622 to Pan, US Patent Publication Application No. 2009 / 0230117 by Fernando et al., Patent Publication Application No. 2014/0060554 by Collet et al., Patent Publication Application No. 2014/0270727 to Ampolini et al and US Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 209,191 to Henry et al., Filed March 13, 2014.

Representative types of substrates, reservoirs, or other components to support the aerosol precursor have been described in US Patent No. 8,528,569 to Newton, Patent Publication Application No. 2014/0261487 to Chapman et al. , US Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 011,992 of Davis et al., filed August 28, 2013 and US Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 170,838 of Bless et al., Filed February 3, 2014. Additionally, various absorbent materials, and the configuration and operation of those absorbent materials within certain types of e-cigarettes, are set forth in US Patent Application Serial No. n.2 2014/0209105 from Sears et al.

For aerosol delivery systems that are characterized as electronic cigarettes, the aerosol precursor composition more preferably incorporates tobacco or tobacco derived components. In one aspect, the tobacco can be provided as tobacco parts or pieces, such as a finely ground, milled or powdered tobacco sheet. In another aspect, the tobacco can be provided in the form of an extract, such as a spray-dried extract incorporating many of the water-soluble components of tobacco. Alternatively, the tobacco extracts may be in the form of extracts with a relatively high nicotine content, which extracts also incorporate lesser amounts of other extracted tobacco derived components. In another aspect, the tobacco derived components can be provided in a relatively pure form, such as certain flavoring agents that are derived from tobacco. In one aspect, a component that is derived from tobacco, and that can be employed in a highly purified or essentially pure form, is nicotine (eg, pharmaceutical grade nicotine).

The aerosol precursor composition, also known as a vapor precursor composition, can comprise a variety of components including, by way of example, a polyhydric alcohol (eg, glycerin, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extract. and / or flavorings. Various components that can be included in the aerosol precursor composition are described in US Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al. Additional representative types of aerosol precursor compositions are set forth in US Patent No. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al., US Patent No. 5,101,839 to Jakob et al., US Patent No. US Patent No. 6,779,531 to Biggs et al., US Patent Publication Application No. 2013/0008457 to Zheng et al. and Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco, R, J Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988).

Representative types of components and aerosol precursor formulations are also set forth and characterized in US Patent No. 7,217,320 to Robinson et al .; Chong et al. document 2013/0213417; 2014/0060554 by Collett et al .; 2015/0020823 by Lipowicz et al .; and Koller 2015/0020830 as well as Bowen et al. WO 2014/182736. Other aerosol precursors that may be employed include the aerosol precursors that have been incorporated into the VUSE® product by RJ Reynolds Vapor Company, the BLU ™ product by Lorillard Technologies, the MISTIC MENTHOL product by Mistic Ecigs, and the VYPE product by CN Creative. Ltd. Also desirable are so-called "smoke juices" for electronic cigarettes which have been available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC.

The amount of aerosol precursor that is incorporated into the aerosol delivery system is such that the aerosol generating part provides acceptable sensory and desirable performance characteristics. For example, it is highly preferred that sufficient amounts of aerosol-forming material (eg, glycerin and / or propylene glycol) are employed to provide the generation of a visible prevailing aerosol that in many respects resembles the appearance of tobacco smoke. . The amount of aerosol precursor within the aerosol generating system may depend on factors such as the number of puffs desired per aerosol generating part. Typically, the amount of aerosol precursor incorporated within the aerosol delivery system, and particularly within the aerosol generating part, is less than about 2 g, generally less than about 1.5 g, often less than about 1 g. often less than about 0.5 g.

Additional representative types of components that produce visual signals or indicators may be employed in the aerosol delivery device 200, such as LEDs and related components, auditory elements (eg, speakers), vibratory elements (eg, motors). vibration) and the like. Examples of suitable LED components, and configurations and uses thereof, are described in US Patent No. 5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al., US Patent No. 8,499,766 to Newton, US Patent No. US Patent No. 8,539,959 to Scatterday, and US Patent Application Ser. No. 14 / 173,266 to Sears et al., filed February 5, 2014.

Still other features, controls, or components that may be incorporated into the aerosol delivery devices of the present invention are described in US Patent No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al., US Patent No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al., US Patent No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al., US Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., US Patent No. 8,365,742 to Hon, US Patent No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al., US Patent Publication Application No. 2005/0016550 to Katase, US Patent Publication Application No. 2010/0163063 to Fernando et al., US Patent Publication Application No. 2013/0192623 to Tucker et al., US Patent Publication Application No. 2013/0298905 to Leven et al., US Patent Publication Application No. 2013/0180553 to Kim et al. al., US Patent Publication Application No. 2014/0000638 by Sebastian et al., US Patent Publication Application No. 2014/0261495 by Novak et al. and US Patent Publication Application No. 2014/0261408 to DePiano et al.

As explained above, the reservoir 204 may be formed of a reservoir shell 216 containing a reservoir 218 therein. In some example implementations, the reservoir may be a refillable reservoir and a container of aerosol precursor composition may be provided to fill the reservoir. The reservoir and container may be removably and hermetically connectable to each other so that the hermetic coupling between the reservoir and the container can be configured to safely allow transfer of the aerosol precursor composition between the container and the dispensing device. aerosol administration.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of an aerosol precursor composition container 300, in accordance with various example implementations of the present invention. As shown, the container includes a container shell 302 that may comprise a reservoir 304 configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition and a lid 306 that may be configured to cover a passage to the reservoir. In particular, Figure 3 illustrates the container shell and lid coupled to each other. The container shell and the lid can be detachably coupled to each other. Various mechanisms can connect the container shell to the lid to result in a screw connection, a snap-fit connection, an interference fit, a magnetic connection, or the like. In some examples, the container may be substantially rod-shaped, substantially tubular in shape, or substantially cylindrical in shape. In other examples, additional shapes and dimensions are covered, e.g. eg, a rectangular or triangular cross section, multi-faceted shapes or the like.

Container 300 can be formed from any of a number of different materials. Container shell 302 and lid 306 may be formed of any combination of suitable structurally sound materials, and may be formed of the same or different materials. In some examples, the container shell and lid may be formed of at least one of a metal or alloy, such as stainless steel, aluminum, or the like. Other suitable materials include various plastics (eg, polycarbonate), metallized on plastic, glass, and the like.

Figures 4A and 4B (collectively Figure 4) illustrate a portion of a reservoir 400 of an aerosol delivery device which in some examples may correspond to reservoir 104 of Figure 1 (an example of which may be reservoir 204 of Figure 1). 2). As shown, the reservoir may include a reservoir shell 402, a reservoir 404, a heater 406, and a nozzle 408 that may correspond to the respective reservoir shell 216, reservoir 218, heater 222, and nozzle 224 of the reservoir. Reservoir 204 of Figure 2. As shown more particularly in Figure 4, mouthpiece 408 can be removably coupled to reservoir 400 on an adapter 410 (aerosol delivery device adapter) coupled to the housing (housing) of the reservoir and removably and hermetically connectable with an aerosol precursor composition container (eg, container 300) to safely fill the reservoir with the aerosol precursor composition. In this regard, the nozzle may be removably coupled to the reservoir shell (housing) and / or to the adapter of the aerosol delivery device which in turn is coupled to the reservoir shell. As shown between Figures 4A and 4B, the mouthpiece can be placed over the adapter of the aerosol delivery device so that the adapter is exposed when the mouthpiece is removed. In some examples, the nozzle may be a pull-resistant nozzle that includes two tabs 408a, 408b whose simultaneous pressure allows the pull-resistant nozzle to rotate and therefore release from the reservoir shell for removal.

The aerosol delivery device adapter 410 can be adapted to removably and hermetically connect to a suitable container of aerosol precursor composition (eg, container 300) in any of a number of different ways. Figures 5A and 5B (collectively Figure 5) illustrate a portion of a reservoir 500 similar to reservoir 400 of Figure 4 (and which may correspond to reservoir 104, 204), but further highlighting an example of a delivery device adapter 510. of suitable aerosol which in some examples may correspond to the adapter 410 of the aerosol delivery device of Figure 4. The reservoir 500 of Figure 5 may include a reservoir shell 502, a reservoir 504, and a heater 506 which may correspond to the respective tank shell 402, tank 404 and heater 406 of tank 400 of Figure 4.

As shown in Figure 5B, the aerosol delivery device adapter 510 may include a body 512 having a separate and distinct fill port 514 and airflow port 516 defined therein. As used herein, a port can refer to an elongated narrow passage through which liquid, air, and the like can be transported. As illustrated, in an example implementation, the ports may be substantially cylindrical in shape to allow smooth transfer of liquid and / or air. In other example implementations, additional shapes and dimensions may be included, e.g. eg, a rectangular or triangular cross section, multi-faceted shapes or the like.

The fill port 514 may be for the transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the container (eg, container 300) to the reservoir 504 of the reservoir 500 of the aerosol delivery device during connection of the delivery device adapter. spray bottle and container. Airflow port 516 may be for airflow through at least part of the aerosol delivery device housing when the aerosol delivery device adapter and container are disconnected, such as during use. of the aerosol delivery device.

As noted above, in some examples, the aerosol delivery device adapter 510 can be placed under a mouthpiece (e.g., mouthpiece 408) of the aerosol delivery device, and the mouthpiece can be removably attached to the aerosol delivery device so that the aerosol delivery device adapter is exposed when removing the mouthpiece. In some examples, the aerosol delivery device adapter body 512 may include an adapter boss 518 where the airflow port 516 can be defined. The protrusion on the adapter can be positioned under the mouthpiece when the mouthpiece is attached to the aerosol delivery device. By removing the nozzle to fill the reservoir 504, the protrusion of the adapter can be brought into direct connection with at least a portion of an aerosol precursor composition container such that the aerosol delivery device and the container engage with each other.

Figure 6 illustrates a partially cutaway view of the aerosol delivery device adapter 510 of Figure 5. As shown, the aerosol delivery device adapter may further include a check valve 520 coupled to fill port 514. The check valve can allow the transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from an aerosol precursor composition container to reservoir 504. In particular, the check valve can restrict the aerosol precursor composition from flowing out of the reservoir into the fill port. . In this way, the aerosol precursor composition can only enter the refill port in one direction. The aerosol delivery device adapter may also include a seal 522 between the aerosol delivery device adapter and the reservoir shell 502 to seal the connection between the adapter base and the reservoir shell opening. The seal can be formed from any combination of suitable structurally sound materials. In some examples, the seal may be formed of at least one of a gasket material, elastomeric material, or the like.

Figure 7A illustrates a container 700 of aerosol precursor composition which in some examples may correspond to container 300 of Figure 3. The container includes a container shell 702 (eg, container shell 302) that may comprise a reservoir 704 (eg, container reservoir 304) configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition. The container illustrated in Figure 7A features an adapter 706 (container adapter), further illustrated in Figure 7B, for transferring an aerosol precursor composition from within the container. The container adapter can be attached to an opening in the container shell. As such, the container adapter can be shaped and sized to match the opening in the container shell. The container adapter can be configured to be removably and hermetically connectable with an aerosol delivery device (eg, an aerosol delivery device 100, 200) to fill the aerosol delivery device with precursor composition. aerosol. As shown in Figure 7B, the canister adapter may include a valve 708 for connecting the aerosol delivery device and, more specifically, for connecting the aerosol delivery device adapter during filling of the aerosol delivery device.

Figures 8A and 8B illustrate a partially cutaway view of the container adapter 706 of Figures 7A and 7B (collectively Figure 7). As shown, valve 708 may be defined by a bladder body that includes a first valve member 802a and a second valve member 802b. The first valve member can open or close a passage 804 to the aerosol precursor composition stored within the container. In particular, the first valve member may include a protrusion that is dimensioned to fit and / or connect tightly in the passageway, thus further restricting the release of the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir when the valve is not depressed during connection to the aerosol delivery device.

The second valve member may close an air flow port (eg, air flow port 516) of the aerosol delivery device when the valve is depressed during connection to the aerosol delivery device. Container adapter 706 may include an outlet port 806 having a cavity 808 defined therein, wherein at least a portion of valve 708 can be movably positioned within the cavity. The cavity may be sized to receive at least a portion of the first valve member when the aerosol delivery device adapter and container adapter are disconnected. The outlet can include a conduit 810 for transferring the aerosol precursor composition from the container to the reservoir where the conduit can extend from the passage.

Adapter 706 may additionally include an outlet port housing 812 configured to connect to the outlet port 806 and to house at least a portion of valve 708 therein, so that the valve is movably positioned between the outlet port and the outlet port housing. The outlet port housing can be coupled to the valve by a spring 814 where the spring can be configured to compress when the valve is depressed and extend when the valve is not depressed. The spring may be positioned within a spring cavity 816a of the outlet port and a spring cavity 816b of the outlet port housing. The outlet port may be positioned over the valve within at least a portion of the outlet port housing such that a sealed connection is provided between the outlet port and the outlet port housing.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a bottom perspective view of the container adapter 706 of Figures 7A-8B. As shown in Figure 9, the spout housing 812 may define one or more liquid ports 902 to allow the aerosol precursor composition to pass from the container reservoir through the bottom of the spout. The valve base may be shaped to allow fluid connection between the container reservoir (e.g., container reservoir 704) and the interior of the outlet port such that the aerosol precursor composition passes from depositing the container through the bottom of the outlet. As shown in Figure 10, in some example implementations, the valve base 708 may be cross-shaped to allow passage of the aerosol precursor composition through the cavity 808 of the outlet port 806.

Figure 11 illustrates an exploded view of a container 1100 for refilling aerosol delivery devices which may be an example of the container 300 of Figure 3. The container may include and / or mate with the container adapter 706 of Figure 7 , including outlet port 806, valve 708, outlet port housing 812, and spring 814. Outlet port housing 812 can be coupled to an opening in the container housing. The exteriors of the outlet port and the outlet port housing may be threaded to allow a secure and hermetically sealed connection between the container and the adapter. In some implementations, the outlet port and the outlet port housing may be threaded using ego and / or "510" thread patterns.

In some example implementations, container 1100 may include a lid 1112 (eg, lid 304). The lid can be removably attached to the container housing and placed over the container adapter so that the adapter is exposed when the lid is removed. In an exemplary implementation, the cap may be a pull-resistant cap that includes two tabs in which simultaneous pressure of the tabs allows the pull-resistant cap to rotate and thus allows it to be removed from the housing of the container. In other implementations, the cap may be a pull-resistant cap configured to be removed from the housing by one or more other secure removal methods not explicitly contemplated herein. For example, the lid can be configured to withdraw from the container housing in response to simultaneous application of downward pressure and rotation of the lid counterclockwise.

Figure 12 illustrates a contained liquid system 1200 for refilling aerosol delivery devices, including that portion of a reservoir 500 that has an aerosol delivery device adapter 510 thereon, and container 700 of the precursor composition. aerosol having a container adapter 706 thereon. In such an implementation, the contained liquid system can be configured to safely allow the transfer of an aerosol precursor composition between the container and the aerosol delivery device by creating a tight connection between the two adapters 510, 706. The adapters can have a size and shape such that they are configured to correspond to each other. In an example implementation, the adapters can be further configured to correspond with each other based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.

Figures 13A and 13B further illustrate the contained liquid system 1200 of Figure 12. As shown in Figure 13A, transfer of the aerosol precursor composition can be restricted until the adapters 510, 706 have been fully connected to each other. . A complete connection between the adapters may refer to a functional coupling where the aerosol precursor composition is allowed to pass from the container to the aerosol delivery device. As shown in Figure 13B, upon complete connection of the adapters, an airtight connection can be formed between the aerosol delivery device and container 700 so that the aerosol precursor composition can be safely transferred from the container to the container. aerosol delivery device through one or more ports and / or passages 514, 804.

In some example implementations, the aerosol delivery device adapter 510 may be configured to connect to the valve 708 of the container adapter 706 during refilling of the reservoir 504 of the aerosol delivery device reservoir. Fill port 514 may be configured to transfer aerosol precursor composition received from container 700 into the reservoir of the aerosol delivery device reservoir during connection of the aerosol delivery device adapter and valve. Fill port 514 may be sized to receive conduit 810 when the aerosol delivery device adapter and valve are fully connected.

During connection of the aerosol delivery device adapter 510 and container adapter 706 to fill the reservoir, the airflow port 516 may be closed to prevent the composition from Aerosol precursor passes through the airflow port. As noted above, the air flow port may be closed by container adapter valve 708 during connection of the aerosol delivery device and container adapter. In particular, the air flow port may define an interior cavity dimensioned to receive therein at least a corresponding portion of a second valve member 802b of the valve. The second valve member can connect and close the air flow port when the valve body is depressed.

In some example implementations, the aerosol delivery device adapter 510 and container adapter 706 may include one or more interface features. As shown in Figure 5, for example, the aerosol delivery device adapter may include a slot 524 that can mate with a corresponding flange 818 on the container 700 to align the aerosol delivery device adapter with the container for your connection. In particular, the flange can align the fill port 514 and the conduit 810 to ensure a proper connection between the respective adapters. Similarly, second valve member 802b may comprise a slot 820 that can mate with corresponding flange 818 such that valve 708 can be movably positioned within valve cavity 808 around the flange. The canister adapter cavity 808 may be sized to receive the aerosol delivery device adapter protrusion 518 when the aerosol delivery device adapter and the canister adapter are connected.

The aerosol delivery device adapter may additionally include one or more seals 526a, 526b to ensure connection between the aerosol delivery device adapter and the container adapter. In particular, a first seal 526a may be positioned around the perimeter of the adapter so as to provide a seal between the cavity 822 of the outlet port and the adapter of the aerosol delivery device during connection with the container adapter. Similarly, the second seal 526b can be positioned around the perimeter of the adapter (below the slot 524) so as to provide a seal between the valve cavity 808 and the aerosol delivery device adapter during connection with the container adapter.

Figure 14 illustrates various functions in a method 1400 for implementing a contained liquid system for use with a refillable aerosol delivery device in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention. As shown in block 1402, the method may include removably and hermetically connecting an adapter of an aerosol delivery device to a corresponding adapter of an aerosol precursor composition container wherein the adapter can be connected to a valve of the adapter. correspondent. The adapter can include a body that defines separate and distinct fill airflow ports in which the fill port can be configured to transfer the aerosol precursor composition from the container to the aerosol delivery device during connection of the adapter and The valve. The air flow port can be closed by the valve to prevent the aerosol precursor composition from passing through the air flow port. The airflow port can also be configured to allow airflow through at least part of the aerosol delivery device when the adapter and valve are disconnected. As shown at block 1404, the method can also include transferring the aerosol precursor composition from the container to the aerosol delivery device.

The above description of the use of the article (s) may be applied to the various example implementations described herein by minor modifications, which may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the additional description provided herein. . However, the above description of use is not intended to limit the use of the article, but is provided to meet all necessary description requirements of the present invention. Any of the items shown in the item (s) illustrated in Figures 1-13B or as otherwise described above may be included in an aerosol delivery device in accordance with the present invention.

Many modifications and other implementations of the invention set forth herein will come to mind one of ordinary skill in the art to which these descriptions pertain, having the benefit of the teachings presented in the preceding descriptions and associated drawings. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific implementations described and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, while the above descriptions and associated drawings describe example implementations in the context of certain combinations of example elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and / or functions other than those explicitly described above are also contemplated, as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims (19)

1. An aerosol delivery device (100; 200) comprising: a housing (216; 402; 502) defining a refillable reservoir (218; 404; 504) for storing an aerosol precursor composition; a heating element (222; 406; 506) contained within the housing (216; 402; 502) and configured to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition in response to a flow of air through at least a portion of the housing (216; 402; 502), the air being able to combine with a vapor thus formed to form an aerosol; and an adapter (410; 510) coupled to the housing (216; 402; 502) and removably and hermetically connectable to a container (300; 700; 1100) to fill the reservoir (218; 404; 504) with the precursor composition of aerosol, the adapter (410; 510) being configured to connect to a valve (708) of the container (300; 700; 1100) during the filling of the reservoir (218; 404; 504), the adapter (410; 510) including a body (512) defining separate and distinct ports (514, 516), filling and air flow, the filling port being for the transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the container (300; 700; 1100) to the reservoir ( 218; 404; 504) during the connection of the adapter (410; 510) and valve (708) in which the air flow port (516) is closed by the valve (708) to prevent the aerosol precursor composition from passing through the air flow port (516), the air flow port (516) being for air flow through a l minus the housing part (216; 402; 502) when adapter (410; 510) and valve (708) are disconnected, where air flow port (516) is on aerosol delivery device (100; 200) and valve (708) is on the container (300; 700; 1100). The aerosol delivery device (100; 200) of claim 1, wherein the valve (708) includes a pushable valve body including a first valve member (802a) and a second member (802b ) valve, the first valve member (802a) being to open a passage (804) to the aerosol precursor composition within the container (300; 700; 1100), and the second valve member (802b) being to close the air flow port (516), when the valve body is depressed. The aerosol delivery device (100; 200) of claim 2, wherein the air flow port (516) defines an interior cavity sized to receive therein at least a corresponding portion of the second member (802b) valve. The aerosol delivery device (100; 200) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the body (512) includes an adapter protrusion (518) defining the airflow port (516), and the container (300; 700; 1100) includes an outlet port (806) within which the valve (708) is movably positioned, the outlet port (806) including a cavity sized to receive therein the at least part of the valve (708) when the adapter (410; 510) and valve (708) are disconnected, and a protrusion (518) of the adapter when the adapter (410; 510) and valve (708) are connected. The aerosol delivery device (100; 200) of claim 4, wherein the nozzle (806) includes a conduit (810) for transferring the aerosol precursor composition from the container (300; 700; 1100) to the reservoir. (218; 404; 504).), And the refill port (514) is sized to receive the conduit (810) when the adapter (410; 510) and valve (708) are connected. The aerosol delivery device (100; 200) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the adapter (410; 510) further includes a check valve (520) coupled to the refill port (514) and configured to allow transfer of aerosol precursor composition from container (300; 700; 1100) to reservoir (218; 404; 504). The aerosol delivery device (100; 200) of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a mouthpiece (224; 408) removably coupled to the housing (216; 402; 502) on the adapter ( 410; 510) so that the adapter (410; 510) is exposed when removing the nozzle (224; 408). The aerosol delivery device (100; 200) of claim 7, wherein the nozzle (224; 408) is a pull-resistant nozzle (224; 408) that includes two tabs (408a, 408b) whose pressure Simultaneously allows the pull-resistant nozzle (224; 408) to rotate and thus free from the housing (216; 402; 502). The aerosol delivery device (100; 200) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the adapter (410; 510) further includes a slot (820) that can be paired with a corresponding flange (818) of the container (300; 700; 1100) to align the adapter (410; 510) with the container (300; 700; 1100) for connection. 10. A container (300; 700; 1100) for filling an aerosol delivery device (100; 200) comprising: a housing (302; 702) defining a reservoir (704) for storing an aerosol precursor composition; and an adapter (706) coupled to the housing (702) and removably and hermetically connectable with an aerosol delivery device (100; 200) to allow the aerosol delivery device (100; 200) to be filled with the aerosol precursor composition , the adapter including a valve (708) configured to connect to the aerosol delivery device (100; 200) during refilling of the aerosol delivery device (100; 200), defining the aerosol delivery device (100; 200) separate and distinct airflow and fill ports (514, 516), the fill port (514) being for transferring the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir (704) to the aerosol delivery device (100; 200) during delivery. connection of the valve (708) and of the aerosol delivery device (100; 200) wherein the air flow port (516) is closed by the valve (708) to prevent the precursor composition of a erosol passes through the airflow port (516), the airflow port (516) being for airflow through at least part of the device (100; 200) for aerosol delivery when the valve (708) and aerosol delivery device (100; 200) are disconnected, where the airflow port (516) is on the aerosol delivery device (100; 200) and the valve (708) is in the container (300; 700; 1100), wherein the valve (708) includes a pushable valve body that includes a first valve member (802a) and a second valve member (802b), the first valve member (802a) being for opening a passage ( 804) to the aerosol precursor composition within the reservoir (704), and the second valve member (802b) being for closing the air flow port (516), when the valve body (708) is depressed. The container (300; 700; 1100) of claim 10, wherein the air flow port (516) defines an interior cavity, and the second valve member (802b) includes a corresponding portion, the interior cavity being sized to receive therein at least the corresponding portion of the second valve member (802b). The container (300; 700; 1100) of claim 10 or 11, wherein the aerosol delivery device (100; 200) includes an adapter protrusion (518) defining the airflow port (516) and the container (300; 700; 1100) includes an outlet port (806) within which the valve (708) is movably positioned, the outlet port (806) including a cavity (808) sized to receive at the same is the at least part of the valve (708) when the adapter (706) and the aerosol delivery device (100; 200) are disconnected, and the protrusion (518) of the adapter when the adapter (706) and the device (100; 200) aerosol delivery devices are connected. The container (300; 700; 1100) of claim 12, wherein the outlet (806) includes a conduit (810) for transferring the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir (704) to the device (100; 200 aerosol delivery), and the refill port (516) is dimensioned to receive the conduit (810) when the adapter (706) and valve (708) are connected. The container (300; 700; 1100) of claim 12 or 13, wherein the outlet port (806) defines one or more liquid ports (902) configured to allow transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir (704) to the aerosol delivery device (100; 200). The container (300; 700; 1100) of any one of claims 10 to 14, further comprising a lid (304; 1112) removably coupled to the housing (302; 702) over the adapter (706) so that the adapter (706) is exposed when removing the cover (304; 1112). 16. The container (300; 700; 1100) of claim 15, wherein the lid (304; 1112) is a pull-resistant lid (304; 1112) that includes two tabs whose simultaneous pressure allows the lid to rotate resistant to extraction (304; 1112) and therefore its extraction from the housing (302; 702). The container (300; 700; 1100) of any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the adapter (706) further includes a flange (818) that can mate with a corresponding slot (820) of the device (100 ; 200) aerosol delivery device to align the adapter (706) with the aerosol delivery device (100; 200) for connection thereto. 18. A method of implementing a contained liquid system (1200) for use with a refillable aerosol delivery device (100; 200), the method comprising: removably, hermetically connecting an adapter (410; 510) of an aerosol delivery device (100; 200) with a corresponding adapter (706) of a container (300; 700; 1100) to fill the device (100; 200 ) of administration of aerosol with aerosol precursor composition, connecting the adapter (410; 510) of the device (100; 200) of administration of aerosol to a valve (708) of the corresponding adapter (706) of the container (300; 700; 1100 ), the adapter (410; 510) of the aerosol delivery device (100; 200) including a body (512) defining refill ports (514, 516) and separate and distinct airflow, the refill port (514) being for the transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the container (300; 700; 1100) to the aerosol delivery device (100; 200) during connection of the adapter (410; 510) of the aerosol delivery device (100; 200) and the valve (708) in which the air flow port (516) is closed by the valve (708) to prevent the precursor composition from aerosol passes through the air flow port (516), the air flow port (516) being for air flow through at least part of the aerosol delivery device (100; 200) when the adapter (410; 510) of aerosol delivery device (100; 200) and valve (708) are disconnected; and transferring the aerosol precursor composition from the container (300; 700; 1100) to the aerosol delivery device (100; 200). The method of claim 18, wherein the valve (708) includes a valve body that is depressed when the adapter (410, 510) of the aerosol delivery device (100; 200) is connected to the adapter (706) corresponding container (300; 700; 1100), the valve body including a first valve member (802a) and a second valve member (802b), the first valve member (802a) opening a passage (804) to the aerosol precursor composition within the container (300; 700; 1100), and the second valve member (802b) closing the air flow port (516), when the valve body is depressed.